I see both sides regarding fire engine red, but I think the only opinion that matters is the bride’s so I’d just ask if you like the dress. My MIL wore bubble gum pink it was a bit much (she was also a large woman), and my mother wore a dress she’d had since we lived in Tanzania - tie dyed with embroidery. Very 70s looking. I wouldn’t have chosen either of them, but I didn’t care what they wore either.
I second the black and white dress. Then again, I just bought a RL solid lace black dress. The mixed dress is a step out of my comfort zone, which is probably why I was drawn to it. It looks like a happy dress.
@soozievt the tadashi shoji overlay dress is back ordered until June 10 FYI. The reviews of that dress, if reliable, were very good.
Also, @BunsenBurner I did order two dresses from Lord and Taylor, thanks to your post about 25% off friends and family. Thanks!
I am thinking this color would be just perfect to complement a black an white combo. Not exactly this dress, just the color of it:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/boss-dictana-v-neck-ponte-sheath-dress/4214872
Here is what the color looks put together with black and white:
This is a nice color and could work as a MOB dress:
I like that Boss color block dress, and I’m tempted to buy it (great price), but I hate it when they say it runs large or small and order the next size - that never works out for me.
Also, I thought OP said she only wears petites, which limits the choices.
This discussion reminds me of a recent wedding I went to where both ends of the fashion spectrum occurred. The Aunt of the Groom (my cousin) arrived in a horrid purple lavender Mother of the Bride (re purposing obviously) polyester satin long skirt/jacket thing that would not be flattering on anyone (with ugly flats… “I want to be comfortable”). She then proceeded to spend the entire evening at our dinner table ‘horrified’ that the Mother of the Bride was wearing a strapless black skin tight mermaid gown with lace and ruffles that looked like something Charo would wear. I will say, Mother of the Bride at least had the figure for her dress.
Okay, I have more to go on now. Daughter doesn’t care if I wear red or not. We’re thinking jewel tones for the colors but she hasn’t nailed it down. We’re thinking something like red, white, cobalt, emerald green, with the black bridesmaids dresses. So, there goes the rust idea. I really do need a petite unless I’m going to alter the whole thing. It’s not just the length that makes a petite a petite size - it’s the shoulders and the waist and the sleeves. And anything that doesn’t come with sleeves, I’d really like a wrap that would look very nice on, not just maybe-I’ll wear it, if that makes sense. I’m at that age where I have the sort of wobbly arms that look so much better un-exposed, and as I mentioned up-thread, I’m one of those always cold people. Sorry, I’ve made this a bit more challenging. Feel free to drop out if you want!
I’m wondering if you would have more luck waiting a few months. Right now, its a lot of the summer look out there. I think in a several months, you’ll see the fall options hitting the racks and websites.
@Gourmetmom , I bought the red sheath, and 4 fits perfectly. I am about your size, IIRC - IT 42/Burberry London 10. I believe the colorblock is similarly sized.
Saks sent me a link to some “designer pre-fall preview.” The colors had some very nice orangy-red ones mixed with the usual blacks and greys. If the big dogs of fashion design do something, the small dogs will follow. That stuff will be hitting the store shelves sometimes soon… So maybe it makes sense to wait.
Have you considered shopping RealReal? I periodically get some new with tags clothing from them, and the prices are a quarter of what you’d pay retail.
Thanks for the heads up @BunsenBurner, I’ll look into the Saks preview. I had not heard of RealReal either.
RealReal is a large, labels-only, web consignment store. There is a lot of dressy stuff that people sell after one wear or even without wearing at all, with tags still hanging. So if you are not averse to buying pre-owned… It is a good place to pick through. 
I think a classic wrap dress is a good choice, because you will get a lot of mileage out of it. DVF runs smaller in the shoulders, so regular sizes will work for petites. Another maker of faux wraps is Issa. Check Outnet, they carry Issa at good discounts, and shipping is free (there might be a nominal return shipping charge though).
Some ideas of dresses that can be re-purposed for daywear and a lace dress in a nice, rich color:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/michael-michael-kors-faux-wrap-dress-regular-petite/4251862
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-lace-tulip-dress-regular-petite/3651256
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/karen-kane-cascade-faux-wrap-dress
Those are pretty–the 3rd link didn’t work, but the 1st two were nice. For some reason, I have a hard time not thinking of frumpy connected with lace. My D has worn a lovely lace dress to a wedding and looked amazing, but it’s hard to get over the images of aunts and grandma in prim lace dresses and “big occasions.”
Opps, deleted too much. Here is the Karen Kane dress:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/karen-kane-cascade-faux-wrap-dress/4230841
and some others of her dresses:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/karen-kane-scalloped-lace-v-neck-dress-regular-petite/3589743
Some of these may look too conservative for a wedding, but they can be blinged out with shoes and a nice clutch, then repurposed for dressy occasions.
Personally I think that the wrap dresses are too simple for a wedding. To me they are more appropriate for a shower. I do like some of the lacy dresses, particularly the Karen Kane. The lace tulip dress looks a little young for me for MOG but I think it is a great looking dress. Some of the other sheath dresses were too casual in my opinion. I did like the Tadashi and the Adriana Papell dress.
I agree. Although I do like wrap dresses and I think they can be flattering, I think they are too ubiquitous and not “special occasion” enough for a MOB or MOG dress.
I have to admit that I detest most dresses marketed as MOB/MOG dresses.
I had found the lace tulip dress earlier, and thought it might work well with a nice wrap, but generally I really don’t like those lace dresses. Also, I think the OP really would prefer something with a 3/4 sleeve. It would be nice if she could find something in a nice wool crepe or a silk jersey…
I love this dress, and think it would be great for a person who carried weight around the lower half. Paired with a solid silk/pashmina/cashmere wrap…
https://www.stylewe.com/product/floral-print-silk-midi-dress-15968.html